Flagstaff: The Best Place to be for the Fourth of July

Get downtown early to claim a spot at the curb! The 19th Annual 4th of July Parade steps off on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. With over 100 entries including floats, marching bands, civic groups, clubs, classic cars and fire trucks, the parade has become a hallmark summer event in Flagstaff. The parade begins at Beaver and Elm, heading south on Beaver, east on Aspen and north on San Francisco.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the holiday weekend means Flagstaff Art in the Park at Wheeler Park, downtown. It’s the 9th Annual Show on the 4th of July weekend. “Food vendors, regional entertainers, and quality arts and crafts booths will combine to make this year’s festival a memorable celebration in the heart of Flagstaff beneath the cool pines!” Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. It’s free!

A 4th of July tradition since the 1930s, the Museum of Northern Arizona hosts theHopi Festival on Saturday and Sunday. See the fine work of more than 60 artists including jewelry, katsinas, pottery, paintings, woodworking baskets, textiles and more. Enjoy traditional music, artist demos, dancing, food and more. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day. $12 adults, $8 seniors (65+), students (w/ ID), American Indians (10+), and youths (10-17). Children 10 and under free.

Head back downtown on Friday evening for Flagstaff’s monthly street party — the First Friday ArtWalk. Galleries and businesses are open from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. with new exhibitions, performances, live music and more. Downtown hot spots stay open late as the celebration continues.

Trundle on up to the Flagstaff Community Playhouse at 11 E. Cherry on Friday night for Great American Songbook & Salute to America Concert: 6:30-8 p.m. Pianist Charly Spining and vocalist Lynn Timmons Edwards will present a free outdoor concert on the patio. Come enjoy jazz and pop standards, favorite Broadway tunes and patriotic music.

Fourth of July Downtown Mile: 6:45 a.m. Heritage Square. Prior to the annual Fourth of July parade, four waves of runners cover one mile on a portion of the parade route. A free half-mile kids’ race is also an event highlight. Awards given for overall and age group top finishers, best patriotic costumes, as well as a raffle. 774-2990. $35 in advance; $40 day of.

7th Annual Flagstaff Four on the Fourth: Four-mile race along the Flagstaff Urban Trail, from the Historic Flagstaff Flagpole on Thorpe Road to Cheshire Park and back, with head starts by age and gender. Walkers welcome. Registration opens 6 a.m.; first wave of runners goes off at 7 a.m. Free, but with suggested donation of canned food to the Food Bank. Awards ceremony at 8 a.m.

If it’s fireworks you want, head east on I-40 to Twin Arrows Casino for The Largest Fireworks Display in Northern Arizona, on Saturday night, July 4th! Free, at 9:00 p.m. Just 15 minutes east of Flagstaff. Live music starts at 8:00 p.m.

Also, The Oakmont hosts Fireworks: Lights on the Lawn with family events all afternoon long, including 4500 square feet of arts, crafts and games, plus a 150-foot water Slip n’ Slide. Live music from Buckit and the Mother Road Trio. Event is from 3-11pm. Fireworks begin between 8:30 – 9:30 pm. VIP tickets to the Lights on the Lawn event are $75 and feature select parking and a VIP-only catered party.

This week’s Movie on the Square at Heritage Square is “McFarland.” Sponsored by the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance, a family movie is shown at dusk on the town square every Saturday evening through the summer. Entertainment begins at 5:00 p.m. Get down there early to stake out a spot for a blanket or lawn chairs!

Also on Saturday evening, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers take the stage at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill – a rock band from Tempe. The music is known to cross genres with songs showing an Adult Alternative Rock/Pop/Americana/Reggae/Mariachi influence. Special guest Cracker. $30 General admission, 8:00 p.m.

The next concert in the Arboretum at Flagstaff Summer Concert Series is Sunday evening, featuring Banditos. The Banditos’s self-titled debut album appropriates elements of ’60s blues-fused acid rock, jangly boogie, garage punk. From backwoods bluegrass, to slinky nods to Muscle Shoals soul and unexpected bits of doo-wop sweetness, the Banditos recall many, but sound like no one but themselves. 5:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner. Tickets are $14 for members of The Arboretum and Flagstaff Arts Council; $18 for non-members; and $9 for kids 6-16. To avoid an online purchasing fee, please call The Coconino Center for the Arts at (928) 779-2300.

After all that holiday fun, do you want to live in Flagstaff? Learn about living in Flagstaff at our Flagstaff homes website.